Astros 3B Luis Valbuena back from three-game absence

Valbuena is batting .263 with a .566 slugging percentage, .944 OPS, two doubles, seven home runs, 15 RBI, 13 runs, 13 walks and 20 strikeouts in his last 21 games.

Astros 3B Luis Valbuena remains sidelined on Wednesday

by Jason Lempert | Staff Writer

(7/8/15) Astros third baseman Luis Valbuena continues to be bothered by a toe injury, and is out of the lineup on Wednesday against the Indians. Valbuena has missed the last two games with the injury, though there is still hope that he'll be able to return to the lineup on Thursday.

Astros 3B Luis Valbuena (toe) still out on Tuesday

by Jason Lempert | Staff Writer

(7/7/15) Astros third baseman Luis Valbuena remains out of the starting lineup on Tuesday due to a toe injury. Valbuena was also forced to miss Monday's contest with the ailment. Though, manager A.J. Hinch does believe Valbuena will be able to return at some point during the four-game series with the Indians.

Marwin Gonzalez is once again drawing the start at third base while Valbuena heals up.

2014 summary: For the third season in a row, Luis Valbuena served as the Cubs' primary third baseman, but this time around, he got to keep more of the playing time to himself. He started 105 games at the hot corner plus another 17 games at second base. Though Valbuena was largely ignored in Fantasy circles for most of the season, he was a popular add in late August and early September when he cranked six home runs over a 13-game period. That power burst helped Valbuena to reach a career-high 16 home runs and 51 RBI, and his 68 runs scored eclipsed his previous high of 52 set with the Indians in 2009.

Playing time status: Valbuena could begin the season as the Cubs' regular third baseman, but with a hot spring, Kris Bryant could force him into a utility role. That is almost certain to happen at some point during the 2015 season.

2015 outlook: The Cubs' infield situation is already crowded enough that Arismendy Alcantara will likely begin the season in the outfield, and when Bryant is ready to arrive, it won't be good for Valbuena's value. His best bet for Fantasy value is to get traded, but even then Valbuena is a deep mixed league option at best.
(Updated 12/5/14)